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The Role of Digital Marketing in the Tourism Industry

The Role of Digital Marketing in the Tourism Industry

The Philippine tourism industry is a vibrant sector that has significantly contributed to the country’s economy. With its stunning beaches, rich cultural heritage, and diverse natural landscapes, the Philippines attracts millions of tourists from around the world.

“If you’ve traveled the Philippines, you go two, three hours from Metro Manila, whether by car or by plane, and it’s the hand of God everywhere,” says Berns San Juan, Managing Partner at Truelogic.

In June 2023, the Philippines introduced its new tourism campaign called “Love the Philippines.” This campaign marks a shift from the previous “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” slogan, aiming to focus more on authentic and profound experiences, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic.

This new direction seeks to resonate more deeply with tourists who are increasingly looking for meaningful and immersive travel experiences. However, the industry is constantly evolving, and digital marketing has become a pivotal tool in promoting tourism and reaching a truly global audience.

In a recent podcast episode, San Juan delves into the critical role of digital marketing in the Philippine tourism industry, highlighting current trends, practical applications, and the challenges and opportunities it presents for businesses.

Overview of the Philippine Tourism Industry

The Philippine tourism industry, while boasting breathtaking natural landscapes and vibrant culture, faces significant challenges in its quest to become a global tourism powerhouse.

Despite its immense potential, the industry is currently ranked 69th in the world out of 119 economies, according to the 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) maintained by the World Economic Forum. This index evaluates the factors and policies that contribute to the sustainable and resilient development of travel and tourism, which are crucial for a country’s economic growth.

Current Standing and Performance

San Juan provides critical insights into the country’s tourism landscape. He states, “The Philippines scored a modest 3.84 out of 7 on the TTDI. So, we’re middling. If I was going to be tough, I would say this is lagging.

Considering how beautiful we are, that’s lagging.” This sentiment underscores the need for the Philippines to improve its tourism infrastructure and policies to better leverage its natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Comparing the Philippines with its Southeast Asian neighbors highlights the gaps in performance. For instance, Thailand generated over $30 billion from tourism with 28 million arrivals in 2023, while Malaysia welcomed 20 million tourists, earning about $14.9 billion.

In stark contrast, the Philippines had 5.54 million inbound tourists in 2023. “Japan takes two months to generate 6 million inbound tourists, and it takes us a year to generate 5.5 million,” Berns San Juan notes, illustrating the significant room for growth.

Philippine Airplane for tourism in the philippines

Visitor Experiences and Perceptions

San Juan reflects on the positive experiences of first-time visitors: “At every first-time visit, they were amazed at how beautiful the country was. Clients would tell me they don’t have anything like that in the US, they don’t have anything like that in Australia. There’s a lot that the Philippines has to offer in terms of tourism.”

Such testimonials from international visitors emphasize the untapped potential and the need for better marketing and infrastructure to enhance visitor experiences.

Goals and Economic Impact

For 2024, the Department of Tourism has set a target of 7.7 million inbound visitors, which is still below the pre-pandemic levels of over 8 million annual visitors. Berns San Juan considers this target modest, yet achievable:

“From January to March 2024 alone, tourism has already accounted for about 157 billion pesos worth of economic activity. That’s a modest $2.8 to $2.9 billion.” This economic contribution highlights the critical role of tourism in the country’s economy and the potential for further growth.

Key Source Markets

South Korea remains the top source of inbound visitors, accounting for 27% of total arrivals, followed by the United States, China, Japan, and Australia. “The country that seems to have discovered how beautiful the Philippines is seems to be the South Koreans,” San Juan observes.

The diverse origins of visitors reflect the broad appeal of the Philippines, which can be further expanded with targeted marketing strategies.

Accommodation and Infrastructure

The growth in hotel bookings and the construction of new accommodations signal a positive trend in the tourism sector. “In the first quarter of 2024, Trip.com reported that hotel bookings in the Philippines grew by 54%,” notes San Juan.

This increase is complemented by the development of 6,400 new rooms by 2026, with a notable number of these accommodations being built in Quezon City, demonstrating a shift towards diversifying tourist hubs beyond traditional locations.

hotels and accomodation in the philippines for tourism

Marketing and Future Directions

Digital marketing plays a pivotal role in promoting Philippine tourism. San Juan emphasizes the importance of digital platforms: “This is where I will say digital has a significantly stronger reach than old-school channels ever could. Globalization is more easily achieved online.” Leveraging digital channels can enhance global reach and attract a broader audience.

Current Trends in the Philippine Tourism

The Philippine tourism industry is experiencing a dynamic shift, driven by various emerging travel trends. Berns San Juan provides a comprehensive overview of these trends, highlighting the evolving preferences of both local and international tourists.

1. Multi-Purpose Travel

One significant trend is multi-purpose travel, where individuals combine business and leisure in a single trip. As Berns San Juan explains, “there’s multi-purpose travel, like people that come here for business and then will spend a couple of days for leisure.”

This trend has been amplified by the pandemic, which popularized hybrid work arrangements and increased tolerance for remote work. Consequently, destinations that cater to both leisure and work needs are becoming increasingly popular.

2. Eco and Sustainable Tourism

Sustainability is another crucial factor shaping travel behaviors. Millennials are driving this trend with their strong sense of environmental responsibility. According to San Juan, “one of the most popular travel trends among Filipinos is an increasing emphasis on sustainability and environmentally friendly behaviors.”

San Juan highlights tourists are now more inclined to participate in community activities such as planting mangroves or helping build schools, contributing to eco and sustainable tourism.

3. Revenge Travel

The concept of revenge travel has also gained traction, especially among younger Filipinos. This trend refers to the surge in travel as a response to the prolonged restrictions of the pandemic. San Juan notes that the 26 to 35 age group is the top segment in this industry.

“The main reason the segment is growing is because individuals that are belonging to this age group are growing in their careers, they’re starting to make more money, they’re becoming more financially stable,” he explains. This newfound financial stability allows them to travel impulsively, seeking new experiences and destinations.

younger filipinos doing revenge travel

4. Immersive Cultural Experiences

Immersive cultural experiences are becoming increasingly popular, both within the Philippines and abroad. Travelers are seeking authentic experiences that allow them to connect deeply with the local culture. He enumerates various cultural events and locations such as Panagbenga in Baguio, Sagada in the north, and the Santo Niño Festival in Cebu. These destinations offer rich cultural experiences that attract tourists looking for more than just typical tourist attractions.

5. Outdoor Activities and Leisure

The Philippines’ diverse landscape offers a plethora of opportunities for outdoor activities and adventure, catering to tourists with a passion for high-adrenaline experiences. From trekking and surfing to scuba diving and cliff jumping, the options are vast.

“Trekking is great in the country,” San Juan states, adding that places like Siargao and Baler are renowned for surfing, while the country’s many cliffs provide thrilling spots for cliff diving.

Role of Digital Marketing in the Tourism Industry

San Juan provides valuable insights into how digital marketing has transformed the Philippine tourism landscape.

Leveraging Social Media for Tourism Growth

Social media platforms play a pivotal role in promoting tourism activities. According to Berns San Juan, “A lot of travelers, well, of course, clearly the wealthiest travelers are still going to be the Gen Xers and the Baby Boomers, but they are online, like Gen Xers are digital adapters, but millennials are digital natives. Social media is great at helping the tourism industry in the Philippines grow. Travel influencing is actually a new buzzword in the market, and travel influencers visit different places to promote tourism. And the Philippines is no exception, right?”

Travel influencers have become key players in this digital ecosystem. By sharing real-time footage and experiences on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, these influencers create compelling narratives that attract potential tourists. The rise of YouTube channels dedicated to travel further amplifies this effect, with early pioneers like Drew Arellano paving the way for this modern form of travel marketing.

Innovations in Digital Platforms

The Philippine tourism industry has seen several innovative digital transformations aimed at enhancing the tourist experience. San Juan highlights, “Baguio, notably launched an online platform called Baguio Visita and it provides tourists with information on the city’s tourist destinations, accommodations, the activities, and the website has an online booking system for accommodations that makes it easier for tourists to plan their trips ahead and book ahead of their stay in the city. This is a great innovation among others and has significantly contributed to the success of Baguio’s local government unit.”

Puerto Princesa, known for its Underground River Tour, has also embraced digital advancements by adopting cashless payment systems and simplifying booking processes. These initiatives, supported by solutions providers like Unawa with their Sign Secure technology, offer secure and user-friendly options for tourists and local businesses alike.

The Power of Campaigns and SEO

The “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign is a testament to the power of digital marketing. San Juan points out that this campaign “successfully showcased the country’s diverse attractions and engaged millions of people worldwide, generating an estimated 4.5 billion impressions on social media within just three months of its launch.”

Search engine optimization (SEO) is another crucial aspect. By targeting keywords such as “Philippines,” the Department of Tourism can ensure that the country’s tourism destinations feature prominently in search results. “There is no rule on Google, by the way, that says Wikipedia must be the king result for any country search,” San Juan emphasizes. “The Department of Tourism could make tourism messaging the primary messaging when it comes to contextual searches about the country.”

SEO for tourism being utilized by a group of people

Multi-Platform Accessibility and Gamification

Creating digital assets that are accessible across multiple platforms—be it mobile, PC, or tablet—is essential. This includes user-friendly tourism websites that facilitate online payments and bookings. San Juan shares an interesting example: “I remember when ChatGPT was new, there was this Filipino that built this interactive map completely on ChatGPT where what you do is you mark off the provinces and the locations that you’ve been to. This is great, by the way. This is sort of like gamification for travel.”

Tailored Marketing Strategies

Understanding the motivations of different tourist demographics is key to effective marketing. San Juan elaborates, “You customize messages based off of audiences and tailor fit them to the emotional need or the practical need that they might have in terms of why they choose to travel.”

For instance, identifying why South Koreans, Japanese, or Americans visit the Philippines allows for targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with these specific groups. This involves not only broad demographic insights but also finer distinctions such as generational preferences.

Digitizing Local Businesses

Local businesses, especially in popular destinations like Boracay, can greatly benefit from digitalization. Many establishments still rely on traditional methods, making it challenging for tourists to access information and make bookings. San Juan suggests that promoting these businesses online and creating comprehensive directories for various destinations can significantly enhance their visibility and accessibility.

Influencer Partnerships

Collaborating with international travel influencers is another effective strategy. By building relationships with influencers from key markets such as Japan, South Korea, and the US, the Philippines can reach broader audiences with authentic content. “I have no doubt if somebody comes to this country, they will probably come back to it over and over and over again,” says San Juan.

travel influencer working in a partnership for tourism

Promoting Tourism Business Through Digital Marketing

Digital marketing has undeniably revolutionized the Philippine tourism industry. From leveraging social media and innovative digital platforms to executing powerful campaigns and SEO strategies, the impact is profound.

With continued digital innovation, the Philippines is well-positioned to captivate and welcome tourists from around the world.

To delve deeper into the evolving landscape of digital marketing in the tourism industry, do not forget to subscribe to the Truelogic DX Podcast on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts.

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